Comments on: Personal Finance Links (Harry Potter / Michael Edition)

By: Roger

Roger — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:51:57 +0000

Hunh, interesting thoughts. In spite of being a big fan of both Harry Potter and Buffy, I hadn’t actually considered how similar they actually are. I’m inclined to chalk it up to random happenstance and the fact that there are, when get right down to it, only so many different stories that can be told, and therefore almost any story you can name will have similarities to other stories that already exist. I’m going to assume that neither Buffy’s writers nor J.K. Rowling intentionally stole characters/story elements from the other, although watching them argue that out in court could be nerd-tastic.

That said, there are more than a few similarities; here’s a run down of some of the majorish characters from both, with notes on how some of them could practically be interchanged:

-Buffy/Harry: The protagonists, faced with great responsibility, both also frequently expressing the desire for a more normal life (well, Harry wants a normal wizard life, but close enough)
-Xander/Ron: The best male friend, neither is very powerful or smart, but both tend to be rather down to earth (and provide more than a bit of comic relief).
-Willow/Hermione: The best female friend, both are smart nerds with questionable social skills (at least to start their respective series) who develop strong magical powers and have wicked tempers.
-Giles/Dumbledore: British wizards and mentors who have a propensity for hiding the full truth from their charges and who have shady pasts.
-The First/Voldemort: All powerful evil who prefers to work behind the scenes, getting others to do his (Or its, for The First, I guess) bidding.
-Drusilla/Bellatrix: Dark-haired British girls who are evil, crazed-up fruit loops.

I could probably come up with some thoughts for who’d correspond with Buffy Characters like Angel, Faith, and Johnathon (I’m thinking Neville for the last one, but it doesn’t quite fit with the whole ‘Trio’ thing in Season 6), but I think this shows some of the correlations that could be drawn.

By: Miranda

Miranda — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:08:37 +0000

I enjoy the books, but not the movies so much. But, as I’ve learned from long experience, the movies are never as good as the books! (My son is about to find this out next month, when we go to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.)

By: John

John — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:14:00 +0000

New to blogging myself, still trying to figure a direction. Have you ever thought about working on your PhD? If not, consider it, you’ll turn 50 before you know it and lean on your comm skills even more. Not a potter fan either, too mystical me. See ya. JHL

By: Wil

Wil — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 20:36:03 +0000

Thanks for the mentions! Not a huge fan of HP either, but wife is and I love making fun of the titles to get her.

Harry Potter and Snapes on a plane
Harry Potter and the Half-eaten luch (Half-blood prince)
Harry Potter and Gaping plot hole (this one really sends her off!)

By: kosmo @ The Casual Observer

kosmo @ The Casual Observer — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:46:55 +0000

I’m not a huge fan of Harry Potter – just not my genre.

I am, however, a huge fan of the story of J.K. Rowling. She pushed herself off the welfare rolls and into success.

What did the citizens of England receive in return for supporting her? Hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue (as well as philanthropy from Rowling herself)